COVID-19 cases in the city appears to be connected with the Omicron variant “taking off” quicker than originally anticipated.During a public health update Tuesday afternoon, the city’s top doc says additional local restrictions are being actively considered due to “increasing pressure” on the city’s contact tracing with several suspected Omicron cases now under investigation.“We are at an uncertain time in the pandemic with this new variant having emerged and spreading quickly,” Elizabeth Richardson said. ‘Recommendations’ being made to Ontario government amid Omicron spread: top doctor “It’s not getting the lead-time that we’ve had, for example with Delta, in understanding a little bit more from our partners around the world.”Richardson.